This Qwest project was a
typical crossover project for Ernie Watts, who recorded a series of commercial
sets for Elektra and Qwest. The rhythms are danceable; Watts displays
attractive tones on tenor, alto, and soprano; the supporting cast includes top
L.A. studio musicians; Don Grusin contributes keyboards and electronic rhythms;
among the many vocalists are Larry Williams and Phil Perry; and guitarist Lee
Ritenour pops up on a few numbers. Ernie Watts would soon start recording more
creative jazz and start to realize his potential, which is largely wasted
on this effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.
Qwest Records, 9 25513-1, 1986
Recorded at Monterey Sound
Studios, Glendale, California;
and Additional at Starlight
Studio, Malibu, California.
Musicians:
Ernie Watts - Alto (#A1,A3,B1,B3),
Soprano (#A2,B1), Tenor (#A2,A4,B2,B4)
Larry Williams - Synth Voice
(#A1), Funny Horns (#A2), Horse Hoofs (#A3),
Synth Horn (#B1), Synth Strings (#B4), Vocals [Background]
Don Grusin - Keyboards, Drum
& Synthesizer Programming, Vocal Arranger
Lee Ritenour - Guitar
(#A1,A3,B2)
Carlos Rios - Guitar (#A2,B3)
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. - Bass
(#A4,B2)
Nathan East - Bass (#B1)
John Robinson - Drums
(#A1-A3,B3)
Carlos Vega - Drums (#A4,B1)
Paulinho da Costa -
Percussion (#A1,A2,B2)
Alex Acuña - Drums (#B2),
Percussion (#B2,B4)
Phil Perry - Vocals
(#A2,A4,B3), Background Vocals (#A1), Arranger [Vocals]
Kevin Dorsey, Aladrain
Elmore, Roy Galloway, Siedah Garrett, Kate Markowitz,
Lillain Tynes Perry, Darryl
Phinnessee, Oren Waters - Background Vocals
Tracks:
A1. Taj {Don Grusin} (4:11)
A2. She Feels Good {Don
Grusin} (3:53)
A3. Cowboy Dreams {Don
Grusin} (4:22)
A4. Homeland {Phil Perry, Don
Grusin} (4:55)
B1. Chinook {Don Grusin}
(5:30)
B2. Sanctuary {Ernie Watts}
(5:20)
B3. City Speak {Don Grusin}
(4:18)
B4. The Peace Offering {Ernie
Watts} (3:22)
Total Time: 35:51
Credits:
Producer - Ernie Watts
Producer, Mixing [Digital],
Arranger - Don Grusin
Executive-Producer - Quincy
Jones
Recording Engineer, Mixing
[Digital] - Geoff Gillette
Additional Engineering - Don
Murray
Assistant Engineer, Digital
Mixing - Stan Katayama
Assistant Engineer - Terry
Bower
Mastering - Wally Traugott
Art Direction, Design -
Gabrielle Raumberger
"Deep within our
souls is a place of peace and love,
where there is no hate, no
war, no competition.
This is our true
homeland - our sanctuary of the heart."
